Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; NXT Rumors Surround Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari – Bleacher Report, November 27, 2024
The WWE Universe is abuzz with the latest updates involving some of its biggest stars — Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, boxer-turned-wrestling hopeful Tommy Fury, and NXT’s Oba Femi. Here’s a deep dive into the most recent news emerging from WWE and its developmental brand.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Possible Future Match with The Rock
Roman Reigns recently spoke candidly about the WrestleMania 40 main event, where he faced Cody Rhodes instead of the initially anticipated bout against The Rock. On the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Reigns revealed his mindset throughout the back-and-forth about his WrestleMania 40 challenger.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns dismissed any such concerns. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," he said, emphasizing the importance of holding the spotlight and defending his title regardless of the opponent. “They are trying to stop history from happening… it was the same task in hand for me.”
The storyline shifted dramatically after Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially declined to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania 40. The Rock appeared poised to fill that spot, only for fan backlash to prompt Rhodes to change course, culminating with The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and teaming alongside Reigns. On Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins, but on Night 2, Rhodes captured the WWE Championship from Reigns.
Though the dream match of The Rock vs. Reigns did not materialize at WrestleMania, Reigns left the door open for a future showdown, stating, "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen." The Rock made a surprise return to WWE programming last month at Bad Blood, though he hasn’t revealed his intentions since. With The Bloodline’s factions set to clash in a WarGames match at Survivor Series, speculation is rife that The Rock could resurface and potentially reignite a feud with his cousin, Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases Potential WWE Career After Backstage Visit
In an intriguing crossover from boxing, Tommy Fury has hinted at a possible future in professional wrestling with WWE. The younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury shared a YouTube video documenting his backstage experience during WWE’s recent UK tour. The 25-year-old met multiple WWE stars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury expressed openness toward a wrestling career, saying, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?” His brother Tyson Fury had a one-off WWE match in Crown Jewel 2019 and has remained connected to the company through various appearances.
Tommy Fury, who currently boasts an undefeated 10-0 professional boxing record and is famous for being the only boxer to beat Jake Paul, could provide an exciting new angle in WWE storylines. Given his connections to the Paul family, he might face off against Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar, or even team in a “Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers” matchup—a scenario likely to appeal beyond the traditional wrestling audience.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Meanwhile, in WWE’s developmental territory, emerging star Oba Femi has been notably absent from NXT television and tapings for nearly a month. As reported by Fightful Select and noted by Ringside News, Femi has not been seen since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc, where he lost the North American Championship title after a record 272-day reign.
The reasons for Femi’s absence remain unclear. It could be a strategic quiet period following two significant losses or possibly the company preparing him for a move to WWE’s main roster. Another possibility is that he may be recovering from injury, though no confirmation has been made public.
Since debuting on NXT television in April 2023, Femi made an immediate impact, capturing the NXT Breakout Tournament and the North American Championship. When he returns, many expect him to be a strong contender for the NXT Championship, potentially targeting current titleholder Trick Williams.
What’s Ahead?
Roman Reigns’ openness to future matches with The Rock, Tommy Fury’s flirtation with wrestling opportunities, and mystery surrounding Oba Femi’s status all contribute to an intriguing time in WWE. Fans will be keenly watching upcoming Survivor Series events as well as NXT programming for developments relating to these storylines.
For continued coverage of WWE Universe news, stay tuned to Bleacher Report.
Photo Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock after their victory against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA – April 6, 2024 (WWE/Getty Images).
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